"Have you got a minute"? - When the real conversation starts

Nordic Walking group in action—building strength, confidence, and community through movement

You know the moment. You’re wrapping up class, wiping down equipment, maybe reaching for your keys, when someone pauses, and asks:

“Have you got a minute?”

It sounds casual. But what follows rarely is.

Because now you're not talking about form or breathwork. You're hearing about fatigue, fear, grief, or the slow rebuild after illness. The kind of stuff nobody mentioned in your training but if you work with women in wellness or movement, you’re seeign it every day.

The Reality Beneath the Routine

You were trained in technique. You learned about biomechanics, progressions, and protocols.

What you probably didn’t learn? How to respond when someone bursts into tears during the shavasana. Or when they quietly admit they haven’t felt like themselves in months.

But here’s the truth:

Most people don’t leave their lives at the door when they come to your sessions. Whether they’re in a Pilates class, on a Nordic walk, or recovering after surgery, their nervous system comes with them.

And what they need isn’t just perfect form. It’s to feel safe, seen, and supported.

What the Research Says

According to CIMSPA (the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity), which sets professional standards for UK movement and wellness professionals, emotional intelligence and client communication are now recognised as core skills for our industry.

The catch? Most pros still feel under-equipped to handle the emotional realities of client work. Because nervous system literacy isn’t standard training - yet.

Pilates Teacher: After class, a client stays behind. What should be a quick chat turns into 30 minutes, because they trust you, and everything's been building up. You're not a therapist, but you're the person they feel they can open up to.

Pausing at the top. Sometimes you just need a minute.

Physio: Technically, your client is ready for discharge. But emotionally? They're not ready to transition. This is the post-rehab gap nobody talks about.

Nordic Walking: A client is rebuilding after cancer. They’re strong, committed, determined, but emotionally, there's some way to go yet.

Ski Instructor: You have a client at the top of a mogul field. "I can't ski these. I'm afraid of losing control." The technique is there. But fear has taken over.

Sound familiar?

Beyond Technique™ is for those “what now?” moments. Future-proofing your expertise with the skills everyone will need. Nervous system literacy isn’t optional anymore.

It’s not just about being sympathetic or lending a friendly ear. It’s whether you know how to turn a passing conversation into a real turning point for your client.

What Nobody Tells You

Most training is ‘see the problem, fix it, move on’. That works for technical stuff. But when someone’s struggling with confidence, or anxiety has taken over, focusing on their technique alone isn’t enough.

Some professionals know a bit about nervous system ideas; maybe a few breathwork cues or a guided relaxation at the end of class. But there’s a big difference between knowing about nervous system regulation and actually knowing what to do in the moment.

This is where nervous system literacy meets therapeutic coaching insights. Understanding what’s happening beneath the surface and knowing how to create the space for what’s really needed.

What's Next

Women's wellness is evolving fast. Menopause awareness is thankfully pretty mainstream. Nervous system-informed coaching is rapidly becoming essential.

The movement and wellness professionals who blend these skills with everything they already do? They’re the ones getting ahead of where our field is heading.

If this resonates, you’re already building the skills our industry needs most.

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Beyond Technique launches soon — practical therapeutic coaching insights for movement and wellness professionals who want to support the whole woman, not just the technique.

Join the launch list at https://www.flourishwell.coach/for-the-prosh

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📬 I write a monthly letter called Flourish Notes from Sarah — real stories, grounded tools, and nervous system insights that actually help.

→ Join here: https://www.flourishwell.coach

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About Sarah

Sarah supports movement and wellness professionals who know there’s more to their work than just technique.

Drawing on her background in therapeutic coaching—and her own journey through chronic pain, recovery, and a very messy menopause—she helps pros develop the skills to support clients both physically and emotionally.

No jargon. Just practical nervous system literacy and insights you can actually use.

Ready to go beyond technique?

Sarah

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